Megawati calls on media to help calm

Megawati calls on media to help calm

SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri asked the national media on Friday to create a
favorable political climate through constructive reporting "to
help bring the country out of the prolonged crisis".

"Being professional is not enough, the press should
participate in efforts to politically educate the public.

"I need to remind the press that you are also an integral part
of the freedom movement and the reform movement," Megawati said
while addressing the opening ceremony of National Press Day and
the 55th anniversary of the Indonesian Journalists Association
(PWI) at the Surakarta Press Monument.

She said that in such circumstances reports published in the
press could worsen the situation if they only upheld basic
principles of objectivity.

The media should be able to distinguish information which
should be clearly conveyed to the public, and those which should
not, she added.

Although House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung
attended the celebration, Speaker of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais canceled his plan to attend the event.

Several Cabinet ministers were also present, including
Minister of National Education Yahya Muhaimin, Minister of
Resettlement and Infrastructure Erna Witoelar, and State Minister
for Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Zarkasih Nur.

PWI's founding members Rosihan Anwar and Herawati Diah were
also present at the celebration along with several owners of the
country's press companies, including Kompas daily's Jacob Oetama
and Jawa Pos Group's Dahlan Iskan.

The event was also highlighted by student protests from the
Union of Muslim Student Action (KAMMI) and Surakarta's Forum of
Student Executive Board (BEM), held outside the press monument
grounds.

Megawati underlined the urgent need to classify the priorities
for solving all national problems.

Unfortunately, she added, political elites could not reach a
consensus on what the priorities should be.

"The communication among political elites can not run in a
smooth way. Therefore, the media should help expedite the
process," she said.

Meanwhile, PWI chairman Tarman Azzam said in his address that
PWI would apply itself to defending the country's unity.

In its 55th anniversary PWI also honored Central Java Governor
Maj. Gen. (ret) Mardiyanto with the Pena Emas award for his
cooperation with journalists.

Separately, in the restive province of Aceh, Aceh Deputy
Governor Azwar Abubakar called on the media to remain neutral,
especially while the conflicts, which have claimed hundreds of
lives, continue.

"On this press day, we call on journalists covering the Aceh
situation to also become mediators between the government and the
Free Aceh Movement (GAM) separatist rebels ... we need fair and
objective news," Azwar said as quoted by Antara on Friday.

"We are tired of blood and violence and the press should
encourage a peaceful atmosphere in Aceh," he said. (44/har/edt)